With another cold snap rolling into Memphis tonight, the city is once again turning First Baptist Church, 200 East Parkway North, into a temporary warming center to keep people out of the dangerous overnight chill. Doors are set to open at 10 p.m. on Monday, March 16, and the center is expected to run through Tuesday morning. Volunteers will be on hand to offer sack meals and blankets while supplies last, and anyone looking for a warm place to stay, including single adults, couples, and families, will be asked to check in when they arrive.
City announcement and hours
According to a social media update from the City of Memphis, the warming center at First Baptist Church will open at 10 p.m. Monday and operate until 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, with the Hospitality Hub coordinating the activation. The post serves as the city’s main notice for tonight’s opening and includes basic check-in details for guests.
What the center provides
Sack meals and blankets will be available while supplies last, and staff ask everyone to check in upon arrival. Identification is not required; local coverage notes. The Hospitality Hub and volunteers will staff the church, providing short-term shelter and basic supplies as needed. As reported by Action News 5, these warming center activations typically include meals, a heated space, and referrals to additional services.
How to get a ride
The Memphis Area Transit Authority is offering transportation to the site during warming center hours. Ride requests can be made by calling 901-486-0939, according to the City of Memphis. Service is limited to the hours when the center is open, so callers are advised to request pickups during that window to be taken to First Baptist Church.
Why this matters
First Baptist Church, at the northeast corner of Poplar and East Parkway, has been used multiple times this winter as a rotating warming center whenever forecasts point to dangerous temperatures. Earlier reporting has highlighted similar activations and the Hospitality Hub’s role in organizing volunteers and transportation support, as noted in prior coverage on Memphis braces for cold snap. Residents who may need a warming center in the future are encouraged to follow the City of Memphis and the Hospitality Hub on social media for the latest opening announcements.
